The Ministry of Education noted on the 4th that it would respond strictly in accordance with school regulations if this year's medical school freshmen refuse classes citing an increase in enrollment.
Kim Hong-soon, Director General of the Ministry of Education's medical education support office, said at a briefing that "the 2025 freshmen class was aware of the increase in enrollment when they were admitted, so there is no justification for refusing classes due to the increase in enrollment," adding, "Medical school freshmen must participate in classes to avoid disadvantages."
This year, among 40 medical schools nationwide, 10 have no students who applied for courses. Students from freshmen to fourth-year students are refusing classes. In this regard, Kim emphasized, "Medical school freshmen must participate in classes to avoid disadvantages."
Kim also mentioned regarding the 2024 class, who are on leave in protest of the increase in enrollment, that "I will absolutely not allow any academic flexibility this year, such as collectively approving leaves of absence," adding, "I will monitor whether the universities handle the leaves of absence according to school regulations."
He further stated, "The reason the Ministry of Education allowed academic flexibility last year was to protect students by encouraging them to receive classes."
Earlier, in September of last year, Seoul National University's medical school approved a collective leave of absence for students who applied for leave in the first semester of that year. At that time, it was the first case that Seoul National University approved a collective leave of absence for medical students. Since the Ministry of Education has expressed its position that it cannot approve collective leaves of absence for medical students, universities have not processed the leave applications.
Kim mentioned, "The principle of applying school regulations was put forward because it would be impossible to conduct medical education if the students on leave do not return this year, so collective leave during this year cannot be allowed at all."
He responded to the question regarding whether there would be academic audits if some universities approve collective leaves of absence for medical students by saying, "It emphasizes the principle that it should be done according to school regulations, and there has been no mention of actions to be taken," adding, "While it cannot be legally prevented for students to take leave based on personal circumstances, the collective approval of leave by the university is different."
Regarding the call from some in the 2024 class for separate education from the 2025 class, Kim stated, "It will be impossible if the return of the 2024 class extends into May or June," adding, "If separate education is desired, they must return to school by the fourth week of March at the latest."
Kim also commented on the delay in announcing the "medical education support plan," stating, "The educational entities are the universities, and the Ministry of Education supports them," and that "it is up to each university to decide whether to educate the 2024 and 2025 classes together or separately."
He added, "There are limitations to the Ministry of Education announcing the support plan without prior actions being taken."
Previously, the Ministry of Education had stated several times that it would announce the medical education support plan in February, but on the 27th, the day before the end of February, it said it would be "difficult to announce in February." The medical education support plan is intended to address the increased enrollment in medical schools this year. This year's medical school freshmen number over 4,500, and if the approximately 3,000 first-year medical students who took leave last year return, a total of 7,500 students will need to attend classes together. This is more than double the existing number, raising concerns about the difficulty of providing quality education.